Kenzie hughes



(No Model.)

B. W. M. HUGHES. BRAKE BEAM.

No. 408,021, Patent ed July 30, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

EDIVARD IVILLIAM MACKENZIE HUGHES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TOTHE FOX SOLID PRESSED STEEL COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BRAKE-BEAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 408,021, dated July 30, 1889.

Application tiled December 26, 1888. Serial No. 294,684. (No model.)

To all whom it ntay concern:

Be itknown that I, EDWARD WILLIAM IVIAC- KENZIE HUGHES, a citizen of Great Britain, residing at Chicago, Oook county, Illinois,

5 have invented a new and useful Improvement in Brake-Beams for Cars or Vehicles, of which the following is a full, true, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The especial objects sought to be obtained in the structure of brake-beams are rigidity, resistance to the strain when the brake is in operation, and lightness and durability of structure. The material most in favor for [5 the structure of these brake-beams is oak; but this, from its nature, is not rigid, and a very trifling spring in the beam results in a great diminution in effective brake-pressure. Oak is likewise very heavy and liable to decay under the conditions of actual use. I have discovered that abeam of peculiar structure made of pressed steel combines to amarked degree the advantages of great rigidity, durability, and lightness.

My invention will be readily understood from the accompanying drawings, inconnection with this specification.

In my drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view of my brake -beam with the 'shoe attached; Fig. 2, an elevation of the same; Fig. 3, a vertical section through Fig. l on the line c 0:; Fig. 4, an end view,partly in section, of my brake-shoe and brake-beam, and Fig. 5 a perspective of my brake-beam.

My beam itself is made by cutting a piece of steel to the proper configuration and then pressing it between dies upon a suitable maohinesay a machine like that for which application for Letters Patent of the United States has been made by Samson Fox, on the 18th day of January, 1888, Serial No. 261,166, now Pat-entNo. 397,178,dated February 5,1889. In this beam, as shown in Fig. 5, the greatest possible rigidity and lightness are combined. The s id beam consists of a box open on its fiat side and closed on all other sides, though of course the end part-s G might be omitted. This beam increases in width from the end G to the center F. I prefer to make my attachment to this beam by a strap, as shown.

In my drawings, A represents the beam.

Surrounding the center of thisis the metallic strap 13, which can be opened under heat and closed around the beam. It may be fastened in position, if desired, by a bolt II, though I prefer to avoid this as a usual. thing, the friction being sufficient to hold the strap in p0- sit-ion. This strap completely incloses the beam, as shown, and can then be attached by bolts K to the draft-bars O O. Of course instead of using the draft-bars, as shown, pressure could be applied to the back of the beam, and, if desired, the beam itself could be re versed, so as to place the brake-shoes on the opposite side. The brake-shoe E is carried upon the brake-head D, which has jaws embracing the end of the brake-beam, to which it may be attached by a bolt L, the shoe E being attached to the brake-head by bolts M,

if desired. By making this brake-beam of pressed steel I obtain uniformity of structure without liability to fracture.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. A hollowbox brake-beam pressed from a 7 5 fiat plate of steel directly into the form of a box having sides, ends, and back, substantially as described.

2. Ahollow box brake-beam pressed from a flat plate of steel directly into the form of a box having sides, ends, and back, and having the closed sides of the box curved from G to F, as shown, substantially as described.

3. A hollow box brake-beam pressed froma flat plate of steel directly into the form of a box having sides, ends, and back, and a strap surrounding the same and in contact with the back of the box, substantially as described.

4. A hollow box brake-beam pressed from a fiat plate of steel directly into the form of a box having sides, ends, and back, and a strap surrounding the same an d in contact with. the back of the box, and the brake-heads D .and brake-shoes E, substantially as described.

In testimonywhereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD WILLIAM MACKENZIE HUGHES.

Witnesses:

ANTHONY GEEF,

I-I. COUTANT. 

